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Author of queer, wry sci fi/fantasy books. On Amazon.
Editor of all fiction genres.

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Breaking News: Another Giveaway! All the Amazing Books!

Hello hello!

I have a huge surprise for all of you: some friends and fellow authors and I are getting together for a MASSIVE giveaway! Some of the books are free and some are available to be won, including a copy of The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming. Many of the others also ended up on the Top Ten of 2012 list I put up earlier this year. Others are going to be on this year's list, and the rest are just damn good anyway.

So, GET CLICKING! The Rafflecopter for the big giveaway is posted both here and above. This means you have TWO chances to win my book! Isn't that insane? With the second, you could scoop up an armful of others, too.

Take a deep breath and don't even try to keep calm. Just browse the pretty covers.


MODERN GOOD READS PRESENTS:

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE & OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY 

MAY 29TH-JUNE 2ND

10 BOOKS 5 DAYS

AMAZON FREEBIES
SIGNED COPIES
BOOKS GIVEN AWAY DAILY!



Everyone Burns by John Dolan, FREE ON AMAZON US
May 29th--June 2nd

The Escape of Princess Madeline by Kirstin Pulioff, FREE ON AMAZON US
May 29th--May 31st

American Midnight by B.R. Snow, FREE ON AMAZON US
June 1st & 2nd

The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan, FREE ON AMAZON US
June 1st & 2nd

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING NOVELS ARE OFFERED VIA 
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
ALL ENTRANTS MUST JOIN 'MODERN GOOD READS' GROUP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be sure to leave a blog post to indicate you are a MEMBER of 
MODERN GOOD READS (mandatory for entry to the giveaway)

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a Rafflecopter giveaway



































*****
Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the phuquerie. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Captured Minds: First Ever Cover Reveal

Hello hello!

I have a bit of a treat today--a cover reveal of Rebecca Odum's new book, coming soon! I was lucky enough to edit this one; it's a pleasure to share some advance info with you. This is Rebecca's first book, and she's off to a good start. It's got a really interesting dystopian feel, and the heroine is actually a fair bit more unusual than she seems at first glance. When it's available for sale, I'll make another post to let you all know!


Cover supplied by author.


Summary:
 

The land of Zoar has always been home to seventeen year old Raven Montgomery, but that doesn't mean she feels like she belongs there. Misunderstood for her small size and incredible intelligence, Raven has never fit in with anyone her age. Born with a rare condition that causes brittle bones, severe headaches and joint pains, she's had to sit on the sidelines. Reading and landing perfect scores on exams far above her grade level can only go so far, and she longs for more: a chance to explore The Other World.

For the last decade, most of Zoar has struggled to make ends meet. When the Ruler is killed unexpectedly, Raven fears all hope is lost. Determined to help in even a small way, Raven enters the second annual competition between Zoar and The Other World. At first, Raven is thrilled to compete, and her dream of seeing the Other World is about to come true.When secrets start to emerge, starting with a shoebox of letters addressed to her parents from the Other World,  Raven sets out to uncover the dark secrets hidden in the shadows of Zoar. 


Bio:


Growing up in Georgia, RA Odum has always had a big imagination. Since before she could write, a host of characters has filled her head, screaming that their stories to be heard. She started writing at the age of twelve and never stopped. She's excited for her books to reach the world and she hopes they will make a difference. 


*****
Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the phuquerie. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

Sunday 19 May 2013

Breaking News: "The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming" Review by C.E. Kilgore!


Hello hello!

I haven't reposted any reviews of my work in some time. I kind of figured that the links on the side would be enough for you readers to be sated with. After all, tooting one's own horn and all that can be annoying if that's all one hears about from said corner. However, when I saw this in the GoodReads Discussion about my book, I may or may not have lost it a bit. By that, I mean 'pumping both fists in the air and yelling "NO INFO DUMPS!" in joy'. I'm blown away by her thoughts on TLTLTD.

C.E. Kilgore is a writer I admire, but I don't dare provide too much information yet. Just make sure you go buy her books, because they're brilliant; it was an honour to have such a writer give me a review like this.

Book Review – The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming



The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming
by Michelle Browne
Genre: Sci-fi Horror / Speculative
Publication Jan 2013
Series: None
Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis: (From GoodReads)

Nightmares bleed into the waking world. Featuring a full-length novel, “The Underlighters”, and eleven stand-alone short stories, this collection blends fairy tales, horror, and science fiction. A city of shadows lurks underground. Restless ghosts, eerie dolls, and spiteful stepmothers wait among other dreams. These are haunting stories of love, madness and small disasters.

Review: – 5 Stars

This book includes a full length novel which is then followed by eleven short stories. The novel, titled “The Underlighters”, is told through journal entries written by Janelle Cohen, a late teen girl who is coming of age in a post-apocalytpic/disaster Earth future in which Earth’s population has been forced to live underground by a mysterious substance known as Dust.There are two very uniquely developed storylines that unfold within the pages and excerpts from Janelle’s journal. One of them is her own story, which tells of her experiences living in an underground city, her job as a training electrician, and her relationships with her father, her friends and her past and present partners. The other story is the mystery of the Dust, how it has forced mankind underground, the question of exactly what it is, and the strange things that start to occur both above ground in the abandoned cities and underground where mankind thought they had found refuge.
I am not a fan of first person narratives, and I am an even bigger non-fan of journal style prose. So, when I began reading The Underlighters, I will admit that Michelle had to do a great deal to win me over and get over those two stylistic hurdles in my head. To say that she accomplished this is an understatement. My biggest issue with first person narratives has always been the that while you can often gain a limited-but-biased understanding of the main character, the other characters remain flat and unexplored. I have only read a few authors who have managed to overcome the first person narrative objective limitation, and Michelle Browne has been added to that very short list. Not only did I gain a good understanding of Janelle’s character, I was able to form very good impressions of the other characters in the book through Janelle’s interaction and realistic observations in her journal. My second issue, the journalistic style, is because many authors who use this style can leave the reader with a feeling of being told a disjointed story. Though Michelle’s book did not change my dislike for journalistic narrative, she did an excellent job of telling the story without it feeling like you were only catching glimpses or disconnected pieces.
Aside from Janelle, the novel is full of three-dimensional characters and an exploration of different relationships, from father-daughter, to friendship, to partnership. One thing that might cause readers a bit of raised eyebrows is Michelle’s very bold inclusion of all manner of sexual orientation and partnerships. In The Underlighters, the society is accepting of all types, seemingly without discrimination. There are even those who don’t define themselves as a gender (Michelle uses xer / xim  / etc instead of her, him, ((replacing h with x)) when referring to these types) and there are those that are defined as “inbetween” (bisexual). Janelle, in the beginning of the story, is dating a female, Chloe, but she explains past relationships with a male, Raheed. She later explores the idea of polygamy. I think this exploration and inclusion is refreshing and adds unique flavor to her story.
The gooey center of the cake that made me really enjoy The Underlighters was the world building. It is beautifully done; both the above-ground abandoned cities (known as “Up”) and the underground city Janelle lives in. There are no info dumps and the two distinct worlds are revealed slowly through the journal entries. This slow world building eases the reader into both very alien environments and also adds to the mystery/thriller aspect of the story.
The mystery of the Dust was the cherry on top that earned five stars. Michelle does very little foreshadowing, which is often where authors stumble and reveal to much, giving the mystery away. Instead, Browne reveals tiny clues and pieces bit by bit, drawing a thread through each journal entry that gives you tantalizing ideas as to what Dust may be and what is really going on in Underlighter, but you won’t fully figure the mystery out until Janelle does.
By the end of The Underlighters, I had already given The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming five stars, but the good points didn’t end there. Browne follows up the main story with several stand alone short stories for the reader to enjoy, each of them a glimpse at darker worlds within the imagination, dripping with delicately crafted description draped around solid bones of intrigue, mystery and emotional strings. I have only read three of the eleven stories at the time of this review because I find myself wanting to savor them. I want to devour them slowly and be able to revisit them in between my other review readings for a refreshing breath of really well crafted writing.
In a word – recommended. Keep an open mind and you will be rewarded with a dive into the depths of imagination that may leave you questioning, breathless and inspired.



So, yeah. This. I'm going to go wipe some tears away and get back to work on my next book now...keep in mind that an UNCENSORED (i.e. the same version as in the anthology) version of The Underlighters is in formatting right now and will be released for you guys THIS SUMMER! Woohoo!
*****
 
Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the phuquerie. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

Wednesday 15 May 2013

To Go Boldly Where We’ve Gone Before: Is Sci-Fi Truly Egalitarian?


Hello hello!

Sorry this one took so long; I slept through a bunch of the weekend.

I know I've been laying on the somewhat negative and critical posts lately, and yes, this is going to be another. There's a good reason for this: I love science fiction. Deeply. It's been an adventure and an escape, a set of connected worlds I can play with. I love urban fantasy just as much. These are my worlds; and you, reader, if you enjoy these genres, you are one of 'my people'. There is darkness here, and struggle, and there are wondrous things.

However, I love these things too much not to examine them honestly. Much as a good relationship means improving yourself and helping your partner continue to be a better person, genres necessarily need to be criticized in order to keep developing. When they stagnate, they die. When they change...we find new and amazing things.



image

Source. This is a marvellous example of feminist sci fi with a damn cool setting, dreamy prose, great characters, and non-traditional partnerships. It even inspired some of my own work. 


I've praised 'my' field before for its generally progressive approach and open-mindedness. Sci fi is where you go to read about transhumanism, inter-species tolerance and multiculturalism, environmentally conscious dystopias, and a plethora of political approaches to interplanetary government and domination. If you can think of an idea, it's been done in sci fi: liberal and conservative ideas alike are featured here, sometimes mixed together. Science fiction is driven by fantastic elements and factual ones, and it's a big, broad, wonderful genre to play in.

However, it also has its downsides. A lot of sci fi tends to be geared towards white and western people, and particularly men--however, female cast members and minorities are generally visible, at least; a lot of sci fi is set in a post-national world. Think of Star Trek, which was definitely trail blazing in this area. Diversity is a given. Women shoulder guns and lead commands alongside their male comrades and no-one gives it a second thought. Representation of LGBTQ people could use some work, but for a starting point in a genre, I'd still argue that sci fi is mostly ahead of the game.



image


Source. This is on my 'TBR' (To Be Read) list. 


So where's the problem?


What I want to know is, why is a genre that's known for forward-thinking attitudes and powerful, strong female characters so reluctant to let the romantic side of things out? Sure, I can think of several television shows offhand that featured strong romantic plots--my favorites being Farscape, Futurama, and Doctor Who--but writing about love is another matter. Search for 'sci fi romance' and you'll have a tough time scraping up listings. It's 'not cool' and 'not allowed' for men to indulge in their romantic sides, and I don't really need to reiterate the complaints of female authors who fail to get recognition from publishers and advertisers. Anything that's just a bit too far off mainstream appeal doesn't really get the press, and readers who really might enjoy hearing about it often miss out as a result. 




image
Source. This one is one of the only true science fiction romances I've ever heard of. 



Why do you care? You're not exactly a squishy romance type. 


Well, it's true, I'm not. BUT--that doesn't mean that it shouldn't exist, or that romance and intellect necessarily have to be polar opposites. There is a lot of room for a human interest story that explores cultural clashing or transhumanism or a myriad of wonderful topics. However, the lack of romance suggests that the field's traditional distrust of women and quiet rejection of us hasn't been ameliorated yet. The way publishers and marketers are uncomfortable with 'ethnic' books or 'queer' books speaks for itself, too: sci fi can push boundaries, but only so far as society's comfortable in handling those pushes.

That deserves to be fixed. Women (a majority of the population, I might add) have a lot to contribute to sci fi; not to mention the amazingly different and wonderful perspectives that genderqueer people also bring. The field is already tantalizingly open to non-mainstream groups, but when it comes to advertising their publications, minority groups just fall off the map. A quick glance through bestselling names on Amazon's sci fi list reveals page after page of decidedly Anglo-Saxon and masculine names. However, what if things go the other way? What if it's completely (or at least balanced) with a lot more minority voices and female perspectives?

image
Source. I absolutely love this author's style. It completely stunned me: I had no idea Afrocentric stories were a thing, and in spite of lacking the cultural perspective and 'ins'--I love them!


Is there an 'overload' point for feminism and other types of activism?


To put it bluntly:  no, but yes. It's quite possible to go overboard in the correction zone and make an exaggerated attempt to balance everything that compromises the quality of the book. The message and characters may be good, but overemphasis and lack of humour can really kill the efficacy. It's a bit like some of the posts I've seen on Tumblr about the subject of activism: minority complains about mainstream, sometimes makes jokes about death and murder of mainstream, complains more and is unfriendly, and then wonders why mainstream is not listening to them. Since I do belong to a couple of minority groups and I interface with a lot more, but also belong to several mainstream categories, I've seen both sides of this divide and it's rarely pretty. So, I'll grant that a story with the wrong tone could be incredibly grating to read.

However, the number of cases where overcorrection has been a problem that I've seen so far has been exactly one. That's right, one; and the only interesting part of the moody, pretentious book was the alt-sexuality angle--which, by the way, was basically irrelevant to the pseudointellectual plot. Fortunately for you, dear readers, I can't remember the title of the damned thing, and I'm quite positive it was donated to a second-hand bookstore some years ago. (Hilariously, I recall the author being white and male. It's not always the activists you'd expect...)



Individual writers sometimes comment obnoxiously, but I've never seen a story really suffer for a lack of white people or hetero sorts or other societally conventional types. Ever. For one thing, they're so incredibly rare that the market is far from flooded, and for another, there are so many 'traditional' stories already weighing that scale down, I can't see oversupply ever being an issue. Being someone who tends to write on the light end of that scale, of course, I'm obviously a bit coloured in perspective. Point is, we would need many years' worth of writing to compensate for even half of a quarter of the mainstream hero stories. 


image

Source. This one was a recommendation from a friend.


FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT 


The fix for this is simple: stop reading my post and go read some books by 'non mainstream' authors. Expand your boundaries a bit and edge outside your comfort zone. That's all it will take to change things. I'm not saying that we need to burn every book by a white, straight male: I have a whole bunch of books that are dearly beloved and fall into the 'mainstream author' category. All that really needs to happen is a little more openness and some experimentation.

This is sci fi. This is a speculation on our future. Let's make it inclusive, multicultural, and vibrant: it can only make the world more awesome. 



And, I'd be a bit of an arse if I didn't include a link to my own attempts to write 'better' science fiction.


image
Source. 




*****
Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the phuquerie. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

Monday 6 May 2013

Breaking News: Book of the Month, Synchronicity Update, and more!

Hello hello!

A quick post today. First, the good news! The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming has won 'Book of the Month' on Modern Good Reads! You should go join and talk about it! It's also on sale to celebrate--$2.99 instead of $4.99, which is 40% off and a hell of a deal for a novel and AND short stories and a novella! The reviews it's been getting are INSANE and make my little magpie soul incredibly happy. As you can see, I'm giving back--I've got a Rafflecopter running right above this post, and you have until the end of the month to enter! Yay! So, buy it now or enter the contest--I don't mind sending the book as a gift to someone for you either!

Next up on the good news-o-meter--Richard Long, the one and only, is in the final hours of his Kickstarter for The Book of Paul. Go buy it--it's on sale for $0.99--and go throw a few bucks in the bucket! They have a $5000 budget, so every penny helps!


Picture supplied by the author. LOOK AT THAT COVER.


Another horror writer friend, Travis Luedke just released The Nightlife: Paris. It is marvellous; his finest yet. I left my honest thoughts on a review. It was rather beautiful, a cut above his previous work (which was still really great.) BUY IT. Or enter the giveaway for that one, too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Finally, we come to the news I hinted at this weekend.




Sigh. My first work, Synchronicity, a tale 11 years in the making...is going to be undergoing painful page-1 rewrites. I was trying to get it out for you guys this summer, but that's simply not happening. The plot has Swiss cheese-like holes, the villains make no sense, and the prose just isn't at the standard I've set in my other works. This was the eldest child, dating before even And the Stars Will Sing, and it got me into writing seriously. I endured heartbreak and I grew up while writing it. Synchronicity started when I was only thirteen, and I worked on it intermittently until this year. And then, finally, seeing the painful morning light, I realised that no amount of work could make it more than okay. And I am so much more than 'okay' as a writer.

I was incredibly upset about this on Sunday, and posted a bunch of comments about being hungover. I was, in fact, hungover from too little sleep; regular readers will know that I'm not a drug user at all and I generally avoid drinking, so rest assured that it was staying up until 4:00 AM that did me in, not substances of dubious provenance.

Luckily, my early morning saviour was a deeply respected friend and developmental editor. We hashed out that plot for HOURS. You can expect to hear more about the lovely Sarah in future, because I'm very grateful for her resuscitation of my 'eldest child'.

However! My baby isn't dead--just undergoing a brain transplant. The new plot is planned out and I think you're going to love the direction. The only hint you're getting is 'water'. So...puzzle over that for a bit! I'll be dropping more hints as time goes on. Suffice to say I am INCREDIBLY relieved and really looking forward to getting down to work!

Finally, I'm getting things set up so I can release The Underlighters as a stand-alone this summer, for those of you who don't want all those extra short stories. That should be fun! I'll be posting updates. That's all for now! Stay tuned, and I'll have more kickass content on the way.


*****

Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the good kind of crazy. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

Thursday 2 May 2013

MOAR ME: My interview with Dan O'Brien

Hello hello!

I thought I'd publish a stop off in my rambles around the internet. The marvellous Dan O'Brien interviewed me. After I had torn down the walls...this is what was left! The original is here.

*****

Tell us about your most recent release.

It is a cross genre horror anthology called 'The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming'. If you like madness, fairy tales, and regret, you will love this.

It includes a full length novel, 'The Underlighters' , and 11 stand alone short stories. Interested in worlds where a plague of nightmare-inducing Dust forces humanity underground? Where disembodied hands and cannibal fairies stalk the shadows? Where scifi dystopias overlap with The Brothers Grimm? Don't miss this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B7MA9II I am also on Kobo, Nook, and the istore!


What else do you have coming out?

In May I hope to have a stand-alone released. ‘Synchronicity’ is another cross-genre book. It’s a sci-fi character struggle with fantasy and literary coming-of-age elements.

Six university students sign up for beta-testing a virtual reality game. They find themselves caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. There’s a bit of everything in this adventure, and with smooth writing and rule-breaking plot twists, the wait for this release will be worth it.


Is there anything you want to make sure potential readers know?

I am going to hurt you. You will love me for it. I may also scare you. If you hate it—let me know! Everything I write is for you guys, and I put everything into crafting something beautifully written and compelling.


What's the most blatant lie you've ever told?

I try not to lie. I am struggling to think of a blatant lie. White lies are more my thing—wait. “Yes honey, I am washing the dishes with gloves on.” “I forgot to take the garbage out. Oops.” “Of course I fed the cat!”
I am secretly a horrible person.


What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

I used to have a problem with telling instead of showing. However, people love me because I tend to be kind, write beautiful prose, and keep a sense of humour about myself and others. I also take criticism well. Also, I am a hell of a lot more humble than I sound right now. I have yet to be really lambasted or criticized; I look forward to hearing some more on the negative side. That stuff is useful.


How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

With grace and aplomb. I ask what they think about it and if they have any suggestions. Sangfroid rules the day.


When are you going to write your autobiography?

When I’ve done more interesting things. My current story is interesting but could use a lot more jazz. I’m too young to write an autobiography.


Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

If they are, you cannot write a damned character. I write people, not fancy names.


What about the titles of your novels?

I try to give them appropriate and thematic titles. They tend to fall on the poetic side of things. The most recent release is named after the themes that tie it together; I love the way it sounds out loud. My partner contributed it and I fell in love.


Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?

Cats are definitely dangerous. Oh, and your butt gets sore sometimes. Carpal tunnel is also a more serious hazard.


What's your favorite fruit?

Strawberries. OM NOM NOM.


How many people have you done away with over the course of your career?

People or characters? I have never killed a human, but my paper bodycount is high.


Ever dispatched someone and then regretted it?

I never kill a character unless it is utterly necessary. No. I respect my characters and have no regrets.


Have you ever been in trouble with the police?

ROOOOOXAAAAANE…Sometimes I sing it off key. Otherwise, I am a happy and law-abiding citizen.


So when were you last involved in a real-life punch-up?

Tae Kwon Do class in Grade 10, I guess. I usually slay them with my wit rather than my fists.


If you were going to commit the perfect murder, how would you go about it?

I would read a mystery novel and do the exact opposite.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I already am what I want to be when I grow up. Otherwise, I want to be more of a kid.

What is your favorite bedtime drink?
I live on black tea. Mmmmm. Yum.


Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This is the most hilarious question I’ve ever seen! Nope. I have gotten used to being weird and I prefer it, lumps and all. I am an admin assistant in the daytime and I love the opportunity to daydream.


Do you believe in a deity?

Does chocolate count? I believe in all deities and none. I’m an atheist, really, just fond of folklore. I’m the friendly sort, though.


Do you ever write naked?

Always. But only under my clothes.


Who would play you in a film of your life?

Anne Hathaway. I don’t know. Hollywood doesn’t have any plump actresses with kind smiles and Irish attitudes under the age of 40.


What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Having a social life and getting away from the keyboard. And then spending lots of time in front of it. Determination is vital to sanity. Sanity itself is optional.


Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

Welcome to my life.


What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?

Writing it and finishing it. Serving your story rather than your ego. Showing rather than telling. You know, the stuff that makes it good.


What do you consider your biggest failure?

Not publishing sooner. I almost gave up on my dreams and then realized I was too old to waste time while I was still young.


Do you research your novels?

LIKE A BOSS. I try not to torture my readers with it, though. The research is to build a realistic world, not to show off how many hours I spent making it so.


How much impact did your childhood have on your writing?

It was significant. I’ll let you know precisely if I ever properly grow up.


What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

That charm will get you everything and that learning shit is awesome.


Do you laugh at your own jokes?

If they’re funny enough and I can’t help it.


Do you admire your own work?

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t publish it.


What are books for?

Fixing the world. Cheap holidays. Life education. Making one think. Making one feel things. Enriching life beyond comparison.


Are you fun to go on vacation with?

I’m always fun. As long as I’m not grumpy and overdrawn on ‘me time’ requirements, I enjoy whatever I’m doing.


How do you feel about being interviewed?

Everyone loves talking about themselves. I’m not exception there, but I hope to amuse and intrigue readers.


Why do you think what you do matters?

Why wouldn’t I?


Have you ever found true love?

He’s sitting next to me, playing Guildwars and listening to a game cast.


How many times a day do you think about death?

Depends on the day. Usually a couple. Death doesn’t bother me.


Are you jealous of other writers?

Sure. I don’t let it hold me back, though; I admire them honestly and try to emulate and appreciate their success.


What makes you cry?

Onions, sad shit, and heartbreak.


What makes you laugh?

Almost everything. A funny joke, remembering a funny line…I laugh pretty easily, though I try not to do so when it’s idiotic.


What are you ashamed of?

Taking so long to talk about what I love and what I’m good at. And, one time in eleventh grade, I insulted a guy for liking Steinbeck because hating Steinbeck was cool. I still feel awful about the crushed look on his face.


What's the loveliest thing you have ever seen?

…I don’t know. I have a precious collection of beautiful moments and it’s too varied to single out only one from. I savour beauty whenever I find it and hold onto the small moments.

That said, Banff National Park is pretty stunning, and I could stare at the Prairies for hours. I often do, on car rides.

Bio: I'm a published science fiction author with a love for talking about the end of the world, silver jewellery, nightmares, and chocolate. 
I came from a smallish town in Southern Alberta and now live in Calgary with my partner. When we're not saving the world from hipsters or riding our bear cavalry to work, we can be found on the internet or with our friends. 

My books: 

Michelle on Amazon

The Loved, The Lost, The Dreaming

The Stolen: Two Short Stories

And The Stars Will Sing


*****


Thanks for dropping by the nest once again. Don't miss any of the good kind of crazy. Find me on TwitterFacebook, and on Tumblr. More interviews and witty commentaries are coming. Keep checking back to see those surprise posts, too. This is your darling SciFiMagpie, over and out! 

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